Glycolic 101

Why go glycolic?

Glycolic acid has long been heralded as a cure-all for dull, lackluster skin. Used in a plethora of skincare products, this natural acid boasts the ability to refine and renew the skin, diminishing fine lines, sun-spots, and acne.

How does glycolic acid work?

Glycolic acid is the smallest type of alpha hydroxy acid and has many applications in skincare products as a natural skin exfoliant. Its capability to penetrate the skin is key when allowing old, sun-damaged skin cells to shed, renewing the skin’s texture and vitality.

By loosening the glue-like substance that keeps dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, glycolic acid can help you gain back that healthy glow. This exfoliation process may help reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and promote an overall rejuvenated appearance.

Through stimulating new cell and collagen production, fine lines and shallow acne scars are reduced, improving the skin’s tone and texture. As well as promoting new skin cell growth, glycolic acid can also help unclog pores--aiding those with acne-prone skin.

Glycolic Acid for at-home Use:

There are many options for using glycolic acid at home. Low concentrate glycolic acid can be found in creams and moisturizers. Unlike regular moisturizers, these also have the ability to promote the ongoing creation of revitalized skin cells.

Higher glycolic acid content can be found in glycolic acid peels, with more instantaneous results. Peels provide the most effective at-home treatments as the glycolic acid is formulated in a way that is safe, yet very effective. Non-invasive and non-surgical, glycolic acid peels can refine the skin’s texture, leaving skin younger-looking and rejuvenated.

The lower the pH level of the glycolic peel, the deeper and quicker it will penetrate into the skin. Physician-strength peels can have a pH level as low as pH0.6. Though low-level pH peels can be highly beneficial to severely damaged skin, they must be administered by a dermatologist.

While store bought peels are less potent, they are easier to use, safe for use without medical supervision and can garner similar results from the comfort of your own home.

An at home glycolic peel, capable of removing pore-clogging debris, improving skin tone and texture, is thus the perfect, affordable solution to beautiful skin.

How Your Skincare Routine Is Affecting Your Skin’s pH Level

If your skin has been off kilter lately, or just looking older than it should, check your pH level. We’ve all seen the term “pH balanced” advertised on various products, but how does pH relate to the appearance of your skin? When the factors creating pH are in perfect harmony, your skin has a revitalized, youthful glow. Today we’ll take a look at the science behind the outward signs of pH imbalance, and suggest products tailored to your skin’s unique chemistry.

What Is pH?

Your skin’s pH, or; “potential hydrogen” level works on sliding scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. A normal rating is near an ideal 5.5 pH, just a bit acidic. This slightly acidic quality is the key to keeping your skin’s youthful appearance in check, and protecting its delicate outer layer from outside harm.

How to Achieve the Ideal pH

Your skin’s first line of defense against environmental toxins is a thin layer known as the “acid mantle”. When it’s in perfect 5.5 pH balance, it can effectively guard against the effects of bacteria and UV damage, while keeping in vital moisture. It’s made up of free fatty acids produced by your skin’s sebaceous glands, and a mixture of sweat, amino acids, and lactic acid. The acidity or alkalinity of these elements combined is what determines your pH, so using products which are balanced or geared toward your skin’s existing alkalinity or acidity will result in a healthy, well-balanced mantle of 5.5 pH which translates to glowing, youthful looking skin.

Where Does your Skin Rate on the Scale from 0-14?

You can have a physician test your pH level, or look for the following telltale signs of imbalance: If your skin is prone to chronic dryness, sensitivity, loss of elasticity, or premature wrinkles, your acid mantle may be too alkaline. Go for products with a slight acidity to restore your pH balance to normal so your skin has a fighting chance against UV rays and toxins which are causing it to look years beyond its age. Skin that is too acidic may appear red and irritated, or produce too much oil as it tries to recover from being stripped of its natural oils after excess use of harsh products.

Choosing the Right Product for your pH

The more acidic a product is, the lower its pH will be, so those with more extreme symptoms of overly alkaline skin will benefit from a stronger, more acidic product such as a peel.

Consider a medium strength peel like the Jessner 14% Peel Kit to treat dull, tired looking skin. It contains lactic acid, one of the keys to your skin’s healthy pH level. Make sure to follow with Daily Collagen Complex and Hyaluronic Moisturizer, and a daily SPF 30 to maintain your acid mantle’s healthy balance of moisture and protection.

If your skin is normal or acne prone, a pH-balanced daily exfoliator such as the Salicylic 2% Daily Exfoliator is perfect for you. This product curbs excessive oil production while it increases collagen production, all without disrupting the delicate balance of your skin’s acid mantle.

Skin that is too acidic or has been exposed to extremely acidic products can become stripped of its healthy oils, making it painful and overly sensitive. Apply a Neutralizer Solution Spray directly after a peel to stop the chemical reaction from causing too much redness and exfoliation. It calms and cools the skin and helps to return its pH balance to that ideal state of harmony.

Addressing the Concerns of Darker Skin

Skin pigmentation conditions can be a problem for many of us especially brown skin
people of Asian, African, Latin or Native American backgrounds. While the natural pigmentation in brown skin provides many advantages, such as sun protection and slowed signs of aging, it is also more highly susceptible to skin discolorations.

Sometimes the cells that contain the melanin pigment are damaged or over stimulated. When this happens, the affected cells may begin to produce too much or too little melanin. Too much melanin causes darker spots or patches, while too little causes lighter spots or patches. These lighter or darker spots appear on the surface of the skin, and can be unsightly. There are a number of pigmentation disorders that affect brown skin. These include Melasma and Post Imflammatory Hyperpigmentaion.

For all individuals, it's crucial to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Avoid the sun when possible, and wear protective eyewear, caps, hats and clothing.Chemical peels skin and lightening products is the ideal way in treating these conditions. Medium/Darker skin tones must be particularly careful when selecting a chemical peel due to the risk of post.

Glycolic Acid Attacks Bacteria In Pimples?

There are many different types of chemical peels: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid Peel, Jessner's Peel, TCA Peel, AHA Peels, a our special Fusion Peel, but only a couple of them attack the bacteria that causes the development of pimples. A study was performed by a doctor in Japan name Dr. Yuko Takenaka at Tokyo Women's Medical University. Their study wanted to determine the effect of glycolic acid chemical peels on inflammatory acne.

The doctor and her team performed the study on nine women aged 25-35 with severe cases of acne. They found that each woman all had a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes, which is associated with acne. Each researcher grew the bacteria in a petri dish and then added glycolic acid. The results found that the glycolic acid had inhibited the growth of the bacteria. With these promising results, the doctor and her team applied glycolic acid to one side of the subjects faces. 

The study showed that the bacteria on the side of where the glycolic acid was applied had significantly less bacteria than the other cheek that wasn't treated with the glycolic acid. Moreover, the side applied with glycolic acid had significantly less acne scars then the side not applied with the glycolic acid.

This research supports the use of chemical peels and the effectiveness that it has on the individuals who have cystic acne and strongly suggests that glycolic acid is a great substitute to the harsh alternative of benzoyl peroxide.

Want to see if it works for you? Try our glycolic peels today!

Containing Cold Sores When Performing Chemical Peels

Cold sores can occur when there is any type of disturbance to the skin, even when performing a chemical peel. Before performing any type of chemical peel on yourself, it is important that you visit a dermatologist to make sure you are fit to perform any type of peel or speak to a licensed esthetician. Speak to a professional and explain to them that you have had breakouts of cold sores in the past. In order to prevent the cold sores from inflammation, it may behoove the individual to start medication to prevent or even diminish the possibility of reactivation of the cold sores.


Approximately 90% of people are infected or have been infected by some form of the Herpes Virus. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion all stimulate the skin and can reactivate the virus that usually live in the sensory nerves.


The chemical peels stimulate the nerves and decrease the barriers allowing the virus to start and the cold sores to form. If the peel is more superficial, doctors will prescribe different medications to combat the cold sores. Superficial peels can include Glycolic Acid, TCA peels and Jessner Peels. 


Chemical peels are extremely safe when you have cold sores, however the key to containing them is preventing them from the beginning!

TCA Peels 101

TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) is an effective chemical agent used to exfoliate and renew the skin on a more superficial level. TCA is most frequently applied to the face, neck, chest, and hands. In addition, TCA is also an excellent “spot treatment” and can be used to exclusively peel isolated areas of the skin.

 The range of depth that the TCA peel achieves varies according to concentration potency(available strengths range from 10% -30%), application methods: time and pressure, and of course skin type. When applied, the solution penetrates deep into the skin continually seeking protein to neutralize itself.

Unlike the progressive peels such as Glycolic or Salicylic, TCA Peels exfoliate the skin more rapidly upon initial contact. The long-lasting results make it an ideal peel for those who prefer less peeling sessions at the cost of moderate downtime.

TCA’s ability to treat a wide range of skin conditions makes it the perfect chemical peel for individuals with multiple concerns.

Skin types/conditions treated by TCA Peels:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation
• Stretch marks
• Acne
• Uneven skin tone

  TCA Peels 10%-30%

• TCA 10% Light Peel- looking to make minor improvements to your skin
  
• TCA 20% Medium Strength Peel- Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven and blotchy complexion
  
• TCA 30% Deep Strength Peel- removes “permanent” skin fixtures such as unwanted freckles, birthmarks, and tattoos.
  

Like all TCA peels, it is best suited for experienced users who have tolerated acids in the past.

Keep in mind:
Darker skin types (particularly African American) should proceed with caution due to an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

If you have any further questions please leave a comment and we will provide the best answer possible.

AHA Kojic Acid Peel 101

Kojic Acid is a powerful skin-brightening agent that is naturally derived mostly from the fermentation of sake. Yes, I am talking about the Japanese wine we shoot back with sushi, from time to time. Kojic Acid is also known as the healthier alternative to harsh bleaching agents such as Hydroquinone.

In the AHA Kojic Acid Peel there are a wide range of exfoliating, highly water-soluble ingredients such as Glycolic and Lactic Acid (AHA's) that help get rid of that annoying acne.

The AHA Kojic Peel inhibits melanin production while simultaneously reducing disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

This peel is ideal for multiple skin types:

-Normal

-Sensitive

-Dry

-Hyper-pigmented

-Sun-damaged

-Dull

-Uneven

It is also suitable for those of you who are new to chemical peels. While there are some side effects such as a slight stinging sensation, a heightened skin sensitivity, flaking, minor redness, and a downtime of 7-10 days, the benefits far outway the negative.

The benefits that result from the AHA Kojic Peel is improved skin tone, texture and clarity, reductions of acne, clogged pores, shallow wrinkles, fine lines, melasma, and hyper-pigmentation. It also increases collagen and elastin production.

So next time your skin needs a re-vamp and some brightening use an AHA Kojic Peel!